Bearded Collie/Poodle Mix: Facts First-Time Owners Should Know
If you are looking for a fun and friendly dog to add to your family, you have come to the right place. Border Collie and Poodle mixes are independent but have enough love to share with the whole family.
They are known as Beardoodle and there is very little not to like about the pup.
If you are interested in buying one of these pups to bring them back to your home and introduce them to the family, you might want to keep reading.
We have put together everything we know about the friendly breed and tell you all you should keep in mind when getting to know your new furry friend. Let’s jump in.
What Is A Beardoodle?
A Beardoodle is a mix between a Bearded Collie and a Poodle and can live up to about 12 or 13 years old.
The Bearded Collie which shares its nickname, beardie with the Bearded Dragon originated from Scotland and can be spotted from the crowd by its long and shaggy double coat.
This coat almost looks like a Sheepdog coat and when they stand tall, the Beardie can measure around 18-24 inches, weighing 45-70 pounds.
The Poodle is another very cute and loyal dog and is known for being very proud and elegant. They are slightly taller than the Beardie but weigh slightly less.
When standing tall, a Poodle measures around 20-22 inches but weighs just 40-60 pounds. The dog has origins in Western Europe such as France and Germany and is well known for its long, luxuriant curly coat.
This coat can come in a range of colors such as cream, apricot, white, black, brown, red, or fawn. The Poodle is very well-proportioned and has muscly hindquarters.
It has a strong back and a long neck too.
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of A Beardoodle?
When it comes to size, these little ones are medium-sized and have good proportions due to the genes from the Beardie and Poodle.
Their body is very muscular and lean and it has extremely strong legs. They also have a very round skill and a distinct pair of long droopy ears which fall on the sides.
A lot of Beardoodles have white or black coats but there are also breeds with white, cream, gray, or red coats. Despite this color, however, they have a brown or black nose and open nostrils, and the eyes are often amber or brown.
The dog does not shed too much and when they are fully grown, they are about 20 inches tall and weigh the same as a Poodle.
Their coat is one of the most appealing characteristics and gives the dog character. A mix between a Bearded Collie and a Poodle crease a wavy but dense coat with curls and unless it is trimmed regularly can grow very long.
This is why as an owner, you are encouraged to trim their coat often.
What Is The Personality And Temperament Of A Beardoodle?
Your Beardoodle is about to introduce a whole new breed of fun to the family. The dog loves social interaction and is happy to play with both humans and animals all day long.
They are very self-confident, as well as intelligent and outgoing. Although a Beardoodle loves to play, unlike a lot of other dogs, if he is kept busy, he also does not mind his own company.
How Is A Beardoodle Trained?
When training the Beardoodle, you’re sure to have a great time! He will be eager to learn new tricks and will easily listen to what you have to say.
He will want to try new things and overcome challenges and although Bearded Collies are very different from this, the mixed breed has more influence from the Poodle side in this department.
You will find a Beardoodle is a very energetic dog and can become bored quite easily, even when they are training.
This means you should encourage them with lots of treats and lots of praises and interact with them frequently.
How Do Beardoodles Behave With Other People?
As a family friend, Beardoodles get along with everyone regardless of age. They are great with children but before introducing them to your little ones, they should be trained on how to behave around them.
However, since training Beadoodles is such a positive experience in most cases, this should be easy.
You also need to ensure your kids know how to handle the dog and act around a pet to avoid agitating or threatening them.
What Exercise Do They Require?
Beardoodles are active animals and they love to be exercised.
You should make sure they are at least getting a daily 60 or 90 minutes exercise routine and this can be in the form of power walking, chasing, Frisbee, or fetch.
Try to switch things up when it comes to exercise and make sure they are trying something new every once in a while alongside their daily walks.
You could even take them out with you on a short run and every so often, why not take them on a longer hike? They love to be outdoors and this will make sure they do not get bored of the same routine.
Health Of The Beardoodle
If you breed your Beardoodle correctly and follow guidelines on feeding, exercise, training, and more, you can expect your pup to grow and live out 12-13 years without any health issues popping up.
However, since it is still a mixed breed and there are risks associated with mixing, your dog still might be at risk of carrying diseases that have been transferred from their parents.
Some of these risks include:
- Bloating and Digestive Issues: Common in a lot of dogs, but these issues are often associated with the Poodle family.
- Hip Dysplasia: This is usually only an issue with taller Beardoodles and it means they often have poor hip development.
- Collie Eye Anomaly: As a result of mixing with a Bearded Collie, your dog might suffer from abnormal eyes right from when they are born
- Addison’s Disease: This is a rare disease but your dog might suffer lots of bouts of stomach upset if you find they have Addison’s disease.
What Are The Nutritional Needs Of A Beardoodle?
Any dog will need a good diet, and since the Beardoodle is so active, this is especially important with the breed. They will need a very nutritionally rich diet which will be monitored as they grow.
Dietary needs will differ depending on size, age, and how active the dog is but you should make sure you are feeding the Beardoodle with lots of protein and fiber-dense foods.
You should be feeding them three times a day.
Maintenance Of A Beardoodle
Thanks to the very dense coat of a Baerdoodle, the dog might get matted very easily and this means as an owner, you need to make sure you are brushing it regularly.
Use a high-quality metal comb to brush and de-matter the coat at least four times a week and if his coat grows too thick, you will also need a trimmer to become a part of the grooming routine.
You will also need to clean your pup’s ears each week with a cotton ball so the wax does not build up and he does not get an ear infection.
You also need a pair of clippers to use to trim his toenails and brush his teeth each week.
How Much Does A Baerdoodle Cost?
A Beardooodle will cost around $600 – $6000 to buy but the price will depend on quality, reputation, and other factors. You can adopt one for $300 as an alternative.
Fun Facts About A Beardoodle
- They are not recognized by the American Kennel Club but are part of the Designer Breen Registry.
- They shed much less than other dogs and this means they are suitable for people with allergies.
- The family started in the 1980s when breeders started to breed purebred and over time, the breed rose in popularity quickly.
- Beardoodles go by other names such as Bordedoodles, Borpoos, Bonderpoos, and Bordoodles.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed this article on the Bearded Collie/Poodle mix and know what to expect as a first-time owner.
Beardoodles are wonderful little pups that are sociable and perfect to bring back to introduce to the family. We promise they will love everyone!